Bottle cap and stopper.



No. 65l,460. Patented lune l2, I900.

' C. M. HIGGINS.

BOTTLE GAP AND STOPPER.

(Application filed Aug. 27, 1895.) (No Model.) 2 Shaets$ha9i I.

w eb (No Model.) I

C. M. HIGGINS.

BOTTLE BAP AND STOPP (Application file d. Aug. 27. 1895.

Patentel i lune I2, I900.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

UNrrEn STAT-ES ATEEN I Fries...

CHARLES M. HIGGIN, OF NElV YORK, N. Y.

BOTTLE CAP AND STOPPER,

SPECIFICATION forming art of Letters Patent No. 651,460, dated June 12, 1900.

Application filed August 27, 1895. Serial No. 560,672 (No inodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES M. HIGGINS, a citizen of the United States, residingat New York, (Brooklyn,) in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bottle Caps and Stoppers, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention is more especially adapted for bottles of syrupyliquids-such as mucilage, maple syrup, varnishes, &c.from which portions are used from time to time, and one form of my invention is specially adapted for bottles of beer or other effervescent liquors and produces an improved method of opening the same without gushing.

The main object of my invention is to form a secure, handsome, convenient, and inexpensive seal or closure for the bottle-neck which will entirely dispense with ordinary corkage and close the mouth of the bottle perfectlyWater-tight-for any length of time while in stock or during transportation and which can be easily opened or unsealed by the consumer and the liquid poured out in small portions, as required from time to time, and the pouring-opening afterward securely covered until the next supply is needed. For this purpose I provide the mouth of the bottle with a covering-cap having a narrow diametrical slot therein, and I interpose between said slotted cap and the mouth of the bottle an incisible sealing-disk forming a seal between the two, which can be readily cut out by the insertion of a knife-blade, coincident with the slot in the cap, thereby forming a free pour-out opening, which when the bottle is so held that the slot is vertical permits the free outflow of a steady stream of the liquid contents from the lower part of the slot, while a vent of air freely enters at the top of the slot. I pivot upon the said slotted cap a swinging Valveor cover to command said slot,

so that it can be swung off the slot to permit the cutting of the sealing-disk and the outpour of its contents and can be again swung over the slot to close the same and form a temporary seal until the pour-out of another portion is desired. I strike up a tubular rivet out of the cap and integral therewith, on which said swinging valve is pivoted and by which it is secured movably on the cap. I also provide the swinging valve with a manipulating tip and stop to limit its closing motion.

My invention therefore consists, mainly, 5 in the features above outlined and also partly in the special construction of the sealing-disk adapted to bottles of beer, &c., as hereinafter fully set forth and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 presents a plan view of my improved stopper applied to a bottle and shown with the valve closed. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the Valve swung off to expose the slit and the incisible sealing-disk below. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on 00 a; look- 6 ing in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 4: is a cross-section on 0 0 viewed in the opposite direction, indicated by the arrow. Fig. 5 is a cross-section lengthwise of the pour-out slot or on y y in Fig. 1; Fig. 5, plan views of the disks used in the construction shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a bottle provided with my improved capla nd shown in the position in which therfintents are being poured out through'the pour-out slot in cap and disk. Fig. 7isa plan view of a modification in which the cap is provided with a large circular opening. Fig. 8 is a plan View of one form of my stopper specially adapted for beer or other drinkable liquid under pressure, and Fig. 9 is a cross-section thereof.

In the drawings, A indicates the bottle or other receptacle, and a the neck thereof, and B indicates a cap or cover, preferably a screwcap, suitably fixed or secured on the neck, preferably by means of an ordinary screwthread, as indicated. This cap is perforated with a narrow slot 0, which preferably extends across and throughthe center of the cap or diametrical thereof, or substantially go so, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1 and in section in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. This slot is preferably made as long as admissible by the diameter of the cap and the bore of the bottleneck, preferably about the same length, or a 5 little less than the internal diameter of the bottle-neck, as seen in Fig. 5. This slot is preferably straight on the sides and angular or V-shaped on the ends for a reason which will be hereinafter apparent. On the top of I00 the capis pivoted a swinging valve or closer O,which has preferably the form of an elbowlever or approximately of L shape, as shown well in Figs. 1 and 2, pivoted at the end of the short arm at one side of the slot and near one end thereof on a vertical axis near the rim of the cap, so that it can be swung to one side in a plane parallel with the top of the cap and across the slot into a position at or about right angles to the slot, and thus completely uncover the same, as shown in Fig. 2, and can be again swung back in line with the slot, so as to fully cover and conceal the same, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. This valve 0 is pivoted on a tubular rivet g, struck up out of the top of the cap 15 and integral therewith, as shown best in Fig. 3, said rivet passing through a pivotal hole in the short arm of the valve-lever O, as seen inFig. 3, and it is then sWaged or flared down aboutsaid pivot-hole, as seen in Fig. 4, thus holding the valve in a most simple and secure manner to the cap and permitting its free pivotal movements thereon and without the use of any pivot-pin or part separate from cap and lever, thus contributing materially to cheapness and simplicity of construction. It will be noted that another great advantage of this construction of the pivotal part of the cap is that not only does it dispense with separate pivots and reduce cost, but it leaves the under surface of the cap perfectly smooth and flush without any protuberances. This is very important where a packing disk or layer is interposed between the cap and the bottle-neck, as the pivot-point usually comes over the edge of the bottle-mouth or near the same, (see Figs. 4, 7, b, and 9,) and where a protuberant solid rivet is used it is likely to tear or puncture the sealingpr )acking layer when the cap is --as it; o ms a pretuberant bearing at one point over the edge of the bottle it prevents the cap being screwed down even and level, and thus prevents a good tight joint being secured. On the contrary, on reference to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings it will be noted that in my construction the under side of the cap against the packing or sealing layer is perfectly smooth or flush, no inner protuberance existing at the eyeletpivot 9, all the protuberance being directed outward, and hence insuring a perfectly-even bearing of the cap on the bottle, a tight joint between the two, and no injury to the packing. The extremity of the valve-lever O is bent downwardly, as shown best at 7.; in Figs. 4, 5, and G, forming a manipulating tip or handle which overhangs the edge of the cap 1% and enables the lever to be easily taken hold of by the fingers and swung open or closed. It will be seen that owing to the eccentric position in which the valve-lever is pivoted on the cap relatively to the slot 0, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, when the valve is swung into the closed position the tip 7t strikes the rim of the cap and then acts as a simple and eilicient stop to hold the valve in said closed position. It will be also noted that by the pivotal arrangement of the valve relatively to the slot shown in Figs. 1 and 2 it is only necessary to move the valve through one quarter-revolu tion to fully, un-

cover the slot, as seen in Fig. 2, which is a decided advantage for quick action. Now between the slotted cap and the neck or mouth of the bottle I interpose a thin incisible sealing-disk f, which also serves as a packing between the two, as shown well in Figs. 4 and 5, thus forming a water-tight seal when the cap is screwed down tightly or otherwise fixed over or upon the neck of the bottle, as shown clearly in Figs. 4 and 5. This diskf may be formed of waxed paper, rubber, cork, or other material and in one sheet or layer, as shown in Fig. 4; but it may also be formed in two layers, as seen in Figs. 5 and 9, the upper layer f being strictly the incisible layer and being formed of some thin water-tight tenacious but easily out, yet strong, materialsuch as a thin sheet of soft metal, rubber, or parchment while the lower layer f forms the packing-layer, made of some soft elastic material like paper, felt, cork, the, andthis layer f may be made in the form of a continuous disk, as in Fig. 9, or in an annular washer, as shown in Fig. 5, serving in the latter case as a packing merely, while the thin overlying diskf forms a water-tight seal easily incisible. It will now be seen that when the slotted cap is secured upon the bottle-neck with the incisible sealing-disk for ff intact between the two, as shown in Figs. 5 and 9 and also in Figs. 3 and 4, both the pour-out slot 0 and the pivotal eyelet Q will be covered and closed by said disk and a tight joint thus made between cap and bottle, which will se cure the contentsef the bottle water-tight for any desired length of time and without any corkage or other sealing. Then, however, it is desired to pour out any of the contents, it will be only necessary to puncture and cut out the incisible sealing-disk with the point of a fine pocket-knife blade, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5, following the contour of the slit in the cap, as seen in Figs. 2 and 5, and then cutting a narrowpiece out of the disk, as shown at t in Fig. 4, coincident with said slot, thereby forming a free pour-out opening through which the liquid can be freely poured, as shown in Fig. 6, when thebottle is inclined or tilted and so held that the slot is vertical. (See Figs. 2 and 6.) It will now be seen that by having the pourout opening in the form of a narrow slot not only is less of the thin incisible disk exposed to injury, and hence the construction is much stronger and more secure, but at the same time a very free exit is obtained for the liquid, which in this case is forced to assume a flat vertical stream, which gushes out through about two-thirds or three-quarters of the length of the slot, while'only the mere upper extremity forms the air-vent through which the air will enter very freely, as indicated in- Fig. 6, insuring steadiness in the liquid stream. The issuing stream being thus compelled by the narrow slot to flow out in a broad thin flat stream, yet with considerable volume and force, issues with great steadiness and a decided trajectory, and hence flows cleanly and evenly off the edge of the cap without requiring any lip or other device to guide it, and thus falls surely into the vessel placed below to receive it, the flat stream changing to a firm round pellucid stream as it runs off the edge of the cap, as illustrated in Fig. 6. By this means the stream has no tendency to waver from side to side or run lazily down the sides of the cap and bottle, as would be the case if the pour-out opening were large and round like the usual pourout opening of bottles, in which case the stream being wide and shallow and the opening wide or large it would have no decided trajectory, but'would issue in a large sluggish or lazy stream,likely to run down the sides of the bottle and not easy to direct or maintain in any desired direction. Furthermore, the volume of the stream would be greatly influenced by slight variations in the tilt of the bottle,and thus be difficult to control, whereas with the vertical slot as described the volume of the stream is very little affected by variations in the tip or tilt of the bottle, and hence the direction and control of the stream when pouring out is made a very simple and easy operation and is one of the important advantages of this construction.

It will be noted that by having the pourout slot arranged diametrically of the cap or nearly so the greatest possible length and capacity is thus obtained, it being desirable to have the slot as long as possible, but not wide, as will be understood. It will also be seen that by having the slot straight with angular or V ends, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 2, it becomes very easy to make a quick, clean, and easy cut in the sealing-disk with the point of a pocket-knife, as shown in Fig. 5, and thus remove a strip 25 therefrom, as shown in Fig. 4, coincident with said slot to permit the pour-out as described.

In some cases the pour-out opening in the cap may be oval, as shown in Fig. 8, but for most purposes this is not as good as the straight slot. For pasty or thick liquids the opening may be large and circular, and the swinging valve or cover may be circular, of nearly the same form and size as the top of the cap, as shown both in Figs. 7 and S. In Fig. 7 notches n 77. are shown in the coinciding edges of the cap and valve to permit the projection of the handle of a brush or other v,tool when used on pots of varnish, paste, or

other materials, and yet permit the cover to be swung fully closed, as will be understood.

Figs. 8 and 9 represent the form of my stopper which is especially adapted for stoppering bottles of beer or other drinks or liquids under pressure. In this case (see Fig. 9) I form the incisible diskfof a thin sheet of celluloid and the packing-disk f of cork. The celluloid disk is very strong and gasproof, as well as waterproof, and when the pour-out opening in the cap is made small or contracted, as in Fig. 8, it will be able to stand a good pressure without yielding or bursting and at the same time is comparatively soft to a knife-blade and easily cut thereby. Both the celluloid and cork disks are also entirely innocuous and impart no taint or objectionable flavor to beer or other drinks. It will be seen upon reference to Fig. 9 that the cork and glass only come in contact with the beer, and this cork being in a thin disk only will be inexpensive andthe whole stopper far cheaper and more convenient than the usual corks and also much more easily opened than a corked bottle, and yet will possess the great advantage of ordinary corkage so much desired by particular bottlers of choice beer or wines in having cork and glass only in contact therewith, as it' is well known that cork imparts no objectionable taint or flavor to beer or wine, while rubber or other materials do. To open the bottle of beer stoppered as shown in Fig. 9, it is only necessary to first puncture the celluloid and cork disks with the point of a fine knife-blade, as shown by dotted lines, thus forming a preliminary gasleak, through which the gas will slowly exude, and thereby relieving the pressure gradually before the liquid is poured out, and thus preventing a sudden or foaming gush, which is always liable to happen in removing the ordinary cork or other stopper. hen the gas-pressure is thus relieved, a simple continued movement of'the knife-blade will cut out a section of the celluloid and cork disks coincident with the pouring-openingof the cap, as before described, permitting the free outpour of the contents. It will be seen that this systemforms,in fact-,an improved method of stoppering and unstoppering beer, &c., which has many advantages over the usual corkage in permitting such quick and easy opening of the bottle, and yet a gradual relief of the gas-pressure to prevent sudden or foaming gush in the outpour and at the same time having the main advantage heretofore pertaining to ordinary corkage and so much desired by bottlers.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that it is not essential to my invention that the swinging valve be used in all cases; but for most purposes it or some other form of valve or closer is desirable in connection with the pour-out slot, and of course, if desired, a separate rivet may be used for pivoting the valve in lieu of the improved means shown. The cap may of course be secured on the bottle-neck by any other suitable means besides that of an ordinary screw-thread, which is considered preferable.

In some cases, if preferred, the bottle may be opened without cutting the diskf by simply unscrewing the slotted cap and entirely removing said disk and again screwing 0n the slotted cap and pouring out through the same, thismethod being particularly admissi- It will of course be understood that my improved cap or stopper is not confined to glass or other bottles, but is equally applicable to cans or packages of sheet metal or other ma terial. I

Having thus described my invention, \'hat I claim is- 1. In a bottle stopper, the covering-cap B formed with an elongated pour-out slot 0 extending diametrically thereof, the sides of said slot being parallel, and an external valve mounted on said cap forclosiug and opening the slot, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination with the covering-cap B adapted to cover the neck of the bottle and having the elongated parallel-sided pour-out slot 0 therein with an incisible sealing-disk interposed between said slotted cap and the neck of the bottle substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination with the covering-cap B having elongated parallel-sided pour-out slot 0 with swinging valve 0 pivoted on the cap adjacent to said slot substantially as shown and described.

4. The combination with the covering-cap 13 having elongated pour-out slot 0 having parallel sides and incisible sealing-diskfbelow the cap with swinging valve above the cap arranged and operating substantially as shown and described.

5. The combination with covering-cap B formed with elongated pour-out slot 0, of the valve-lever pivoted on the cap at one side of or eccentric to the median line of said slot, substantially as herein set forth.

6. The combination with the covering-cap B formed with the elongated pour-out slot 0 and tubular integral pivot or eyelet g, of a swinging valve pivoted on said tubular pivot g, and a packing or sealing layer underlying the cap and closing the slot and eyelet c, g, substantially as shown and described.

7. The combination with the covering-cap 13 formed with an elongated pour-out opening extending diametrically thereof, of a swinging valve pivoted on a vertical axis on said cap near the circumference and near one end and at one side of the pour-out opening swinging in a plane parallel with the top of the cap and having its tip 76 bent to overhang the rim of the cap, and thereby forming a stop to limit the closing position of the valve over the pourout opening, substantially as shown and described.

S. The combination with the covering-cap B formed with the elongated pour-out slot 0 and eyelet g, of a swinging valve pivoted on said eyelet, and a packing or sealing layer underlying the cap and closing the slot and eyelet c, g, substantially as shown and described.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES M. HIGGINS.

\Vitnesses:

HORACE A. Donou, O. O. BURDINE. 

